Ireland: History

1914

The outbreak of World War I delays the implementation of new home rule legislation, which would have restored the Dublin parliament.

1921

The Anglo-Irish treaty creates the Irish Free State, which is an independent dominion of the British crown with full internal self-government rights. 

1937

Voters approve a new constitution, which abolishes the Irish free state and proclaims Eire (Gaelic for Ireland) a sovereign, independent, and democratic state.

1939

Eire remains neutral upon the outbreak of World War II, however, many Irish citizens join the Allied forces.

1949

Eire leaves the British Commonwealth and becomes the Republic of Ireland.

1959

Ireland launches a successful campaign of economic modernization, which mainly revolves around abandoning protectionism and encouraging foreign trade investment. Ireland moves away from its traditionally agricultural-based economy.

1965

Ireland signs the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement of 1965 with the United Kingdom, which effectively removes many of the remaining tariff and trade barriers between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

1973 Ireland joins the European Economic Community.

1980

Ireland faces severe economic problems stemming from increasing unemployment and foreign borrowing.

2002 The Euro replaces the Punt as the national currency.

2008

In the midst of the global financial crisis, the Irish government guarantees the debts of the country's banks. This move ultimately backfires and damages the economy, as Ireland does not have sufficient reserves to cover the aforementioned debts.

2010

The Irish government drafts austerity measures in exchange for an 85bn euro rescue package with the EU and IMF after the cost of bailing out Ireland;s banking system drives the budget deficit up to one third of the national GDP.

2011

Moody's rating agency downgrades Ireland's debt rating to junk status.

2013

The European Central Bank approves a deal to liquidate the former Anglo Irish Bank, which was nationalized in 2009.

2013

Ireland becomes the first bailed out eurozone country to exit the bailout program after fulfilling the necessary conditions. 

2015

Referendum approves same-sex marriage by large margin.

2016

Months of political deadlock are finally broken after Fine Gael reaches an accommodation with Fianna Fáil, allowing Enda Kenny to form a minority government. Parliament re-elects him as Taoiseach.

2017

The Northern Ireland Executive collapses. 

2020

The Northern Ireland Executive is restored.